My husband was overseas competing in a Triathlon. I was expecting our sixth child, my oldest daughter was eight. We were renting a home and waiting on some investments to sell before we moved. I decided to take the kids to the pool for the day and eat pizza. Honestly, it was the Friday before Mother’s Day, and I was just enjoying some lazy time with the kiddos.
At about 5pm, I drove into our driveway and noticed water running down the pavement.
Hmmmmm.
With my little troops following behind me, as I walked into the garage I was completely confused about the pathway of running water seeping out from the door. I opened the door to the house to step into about 4 inches of…water.
Except, the smell told me…it wasn’t just water.
Nope.
The septic tank had backed up and flooded the entire home. Septic tank, folks.
Let that imagery just sink in for a moment.
I grabbed a few dining room chairs and told the children to stand on them while I thought of a solution quickly.
Within a few moments, I had their feet sprayed off from the outside hose and had them buckled back into the car.
I called two friends and my church and told them I was moving. Tomorrow.
By the next morning, several men from church met me at the U-Haul center with egg mcmuffins for my kids. We rented trucks, loaded up boxes, and thanks be to God and my phenomenal church family, I was able to move lock, stock, and barrel in less than 24 hours.
David called and asked how I was doing, did I miss him? I chuckled and said I was a little busy….moving. He didn’t believe me so I put him on the phone with the supervisor of the moving company that came last minute to help.
When I got the phone back, he was stunned. It had been a rough day, but the love and support from so many friends from our church had made it bearable. One family babysat the girls for me, several ladies showed up with groceries, meals, and organized the closets. My back was killing me, with only a couple of months left to go in my pregnancy, all the lifting had gotten the best of me.
Finally, the last of our belongings had been cleaned and put into place. All the helping hands left for the night and I fell asleep completely clothed in my new bedroom. Too exhausted to think straight, I had forgotten that the following day would be Mother’s Day.
My daughters…had not forgotten. With what groceries the ladies had brought the girls prepared something that loosely resembled pancakes and placed several candies and their best attempt at coffee onto a tray and brought it to me as a surprise. I awoke to their smiling faces and sweet kisses.
I held back the tears the best I could.
On my drive to church, I let the tears fly. Overwhelmed, exhausted, afraid of the unexpected expenses we had incurred by moving, and alone without my husband on Mother’s Day, I threw a first class pity party. As bad as things were, they were actually pretty good. The rental had flooded, but we had another home we owned that I could move into. My church family showed up big time and cleaned, lifted, moved and provided food and childcare throughout the entire ordeal. The “things” that were damaged were really not expensive or irreplaceable so I hadn’t lost much. It was just a tough day to be alone without the love and encouragement of my husband and I thought to share this with you because…
As hard as Mother’s Day can be for some of us mommas still in the trenches, I bet you can’t top my story of your house flooded with…waste…
And if you can top this terrible story, or if this weekend is full of sadness for you, please know…I get it. Happy Mother’s Day and I love each and every one of you. If your tempted to tears just envision me driving up to my home with wastewater running into the streets. That should make you smile. Your Mother’s Day has GOT to be better than THAT.
Michelle says
You did it again, Lyette…..thank you for the smiles, the love, the laughter and the refocus on what is REALLY important! Happy Mother’s Day and God bless!
Lyette Reback says
Thank you Michelle! Happy Mother’s Day this weekend to you!
buchi uwamanua says
icannot imagine what you must have gone through.my heart went out for you.
Lyette Reback says
I can laugh about it now…but it sure was a tough day! Thank you!
Ben Hoadley says
Our worst Mother’s Day experience came on our first Mothers Day. Our daughter was 9 months old and my wife was pregnant with our second child. Since this was our first Mother’s Day, I wanted to do it up right. Flowers and gifts lined the countertop eagerly awaiting to be seen. But when we woke up that morning, something else happened. A small spot. On the sheets. What’s that I remember asking. When my wife pulled back the sheets, wow. The bed was a mess like something I had never seen. It wasn’t the messy bed that was upsetting. It was this idea that our family was growing, and then we thought it wasn’t. The thought that this pregnancy ended…on Mothers Day…in our bed…while we slept, I can’t describe the feeling of sadness. It didn’t seem fair. And on our first Mothers Day nonetheless. Being a Sunday the doctor would have to wait for Monday morning. It was a long 24 hours of spoiled fun and lots of sadness. And then it happened. The appointment came. The ultrasound tech ran the wand over her belly. And there it was. That noise that every expecting parent loves to hear….the swishing of a rabidly beating baby’s heart!!! We are now celebrating this holiday for the 6th time with our 3 lovely children. God is good!
Lyette Reback says
Wow. That was emotional…you had me go from heartbroken to overjoyed in 10 seconds flat. SO grateful your family grew and that precious baby was ok. I’ve been in very similar situations…sometimes a happy ending, sometimes, heartbreak. xoxoxo
Ben Hoadley says
Little did we know our faith would be tested to a new level with our 3rd born…in 3 years. At our healthy baby 2 month checkup our healthy baby…wasn’t healthy. A murmur. The heart. What!? There is nothing easy about a sick child. At 4 months old (hearing the words “congestive heart failure” will make you want to punch a doctor in the face) our son had open heart surgery at Miami’s Children Hospital to repair a hole in his heart.
Thankfully our son’s prognosis is that of health and success. Many, if not most of the families we met during that time shared a different destiny. Some shared the reality of looking forward to many surgeries, some with the realization that they were buying time.
We were blessed with a different reality. Why? I’m thankful for the outcome but I can’t go a calendar (day) month/anniversary (especially this holiday) without being reminded as to the power, mercy, and grace of our God.
Ben Hoadley says
PS- I love the testimony and story of your family. As a guy who studied civil engineering…and a real estate guy in Palm Beach County…and somebody who grew up at FBCWPB….we have some elements in common. I am thankful for your witness and encouragement!!!
Signed guy praying frequently- Dear God- Please don’t let me screw this up….
Lyette Reback says
Thanks so much Ben! Bless you and trust me….we all screw up this job plenty but He is so faithful!!!
Lyette Reback says
Ben I am so grateful that your situation turned out well. I’ve been in waiting rooms like what you’re describing. Grateful to a healing God.
Jessica Ward says
Thanks for this!
Friday, my oldest turns 5 and we are having a party for her. Saturday, my youngest turns 1. Sunday is Mother’s Day. Its going to be a big happy weekend.
But my husband is in the military and far far away right now. So the delight of this weekend will be tempered by his absence. And we live in Alaska, far away from family in Alabama. I am very grateful for the community God has put around us during this time. Its not my husband and not my blood family but we are loved and supported by this community!
Thank you for the laugh and a story to reflect on this Sunday when my spirit starts to sink. 🙂
Lyette Reback says
Bless you and your family for your service to our military! I am so sorry you are missing your sweetie but I hope this Mother’s Day, when emotions overwhelm you, you can just focus on all the good in your life and all the blessings. I know it’s rough. But you can do it and the Lord is with you every step of the way! xoxoxo